This study examined how much of nature Gansu Province uses up to sustain its activities. By looking at data from 1990 to 2007, they found that the amount of land needed for each unit of money made in the province decreased slowly. The types of land being used also changed over time. The researchers predict that from 2007 to 2017, the province's ecological deficit will grow bigger, with each person needing 2.733 hectares of extra land. To have a sustainable future, Gansu needs to improve how it uses resources, making them more productive and efficient.